Page 93 of Stepping Up to the Plate

Phil

WTF Lola. Why would you do this? Cassie already told my mother everything when we wouldn’t give her a raise. Is that not penance enough?

Seeing as I have no idea what he is talking about, I tell him as much and ask him to leave me alone. His texts right back.

Friday 9:56 AM

Phil

Don’t play dumb with me, Lola. This is low even for you. I didn’t peg you as vindictive. You aren’t the woman I used to know.

Me

Thank God for that.

I can assure you, I did nothing to seek revenge against you, Phil. Maybe you have more enemies than you think. If you contact me again, I will file a restraining order for harassment.

While I know I didn’t do anything to Phil, I have a sneaking suspicion someone I know might have. To confirm my theory, I pull up the group chat with Carina and Tiffany.

Friday 10:02 AM

Me

Would either of you happen to know why Phil is texting me about some revenge ploy?

Care Bear

I certainly don’t. Babs?

Tiff

What did he say…

Me

He asked me why I would do “this?” And said he didn’t know I was “vindictive.”

Tiff

*I smell bitch TikTok*

Me

Tiffany! What did you do?

Tiff

??

I don’t know if I’ll ever get out of her what she did and I’m sure as hell not going to ask Phil. I’ll have to chalk it up to one of life’s big mysteries. Even though I decided I need to rely a little less on my support system, it is nice to know they have my back.

ChapterForty-Four

• BRADY •

The last several days without Lola have been brutal. Besides a single text asking if she can talk while I am in Chicago, I haven’t reached out. She clearly wants space and I have no choice but to give it to her. If I want a chance to make things right between us, bombarding her is not going to do me any favors.

I’ve yet to hear back from her and I’m wound tight with anxiety. I had the team set aside a ticket for her in case she decided to come, but last night’s went unused. We play tonight and again tomorrow before heading back to Nashville, and I am hopeful we will attend at least once.

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